Smoke separator



H. C- LYONS SMOKE SEPARA'IOR March 4, 1930.

Filed April 17, 1928 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 4, 1930 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY G. LYONS, OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK SMOKE SEPARATTOR Application filed April 17,

My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for separating certain constituents of smoke and the like.

In the products issuing from a smoke-stack 5 or chimney, and ordinarily referred to as smoke, there is often a considerable quantity of substantially pure carbon in the form of soot, and this soot, if permitted to escape, not only tends to pollute the atmosphere, but lost for all practical commercial purposes. It is my object to provide an improved method of and apparatus for separating and moisten the smoke collector so as to facilitate the adherence of soot particles and the like thereto. Particles of soot and the like on coming in contact with the collector adhere i thereto, and the adhering particles are later removed and collected. This removal may,

be effected for example by means of a suitable scraper, or by means of washing, or both.

In the drawings which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention- Fig. l'is a partially diagrammatic sectional view of a smoke separator for carrying out my process, and illustrative of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating a modification.

In said drawings, 5 indicates a smoke-stack. chimney, or other smoke conduit. Above the chimney or at any point in the current of smoke, I position a smoke collector, Which may be in the form of a belt 6. In the form illustrated, the belt 6 is trained over suitable guide rollers and is positioned horizontally. The positioning of the belt may, however, be varied, and in some cases it may be desirable to incline the belt substantially.

The belt 6 or other form of collector is preferably moistened with water or other liquid to facilitate and induce the adherence of soot particles and the like thereto. The soot particles on coming in contact with the moistened 1928. Serial No. 270,638.

beltadhere thereto, and these particles are later removed from the belt and collected. In the form shown, the belt 6 passes in engagement with a scraper 7 positioned in a collecting pan or tray 8. The scraped of soot particles may drop into the tray and be removed from time to time. I prefer to partially fill the tank or tray 8 with water or other moistening liquid, so that the belt may be caused to pass through the liquid. In some cases,

I may omit the scraper 7 entirely, and rely upon the passage of the belt through the liquid for the removal of the soot particles as well as for moistening the belt. It is possible, also, instead of having the belt pass through a body of water, to spray water onto the belt. In the form shown wherein the belt 6 is an endless one, it is trained over suitable pulleys or rollers, as illustrated, to cause the belt to move in the desired course. Any sultable means, such as a small motor 9, may

be employed for driving the belt.

The parts heretofore described may all be mounted upon a suitable framework 10, which may be supported by any suitable base, for

example a smoke-stack or chimney 5. The framework 10 is preferably adjustably mounted upon its support so that the smoke collector, or specifically the belt, may be positioned at just the desired distance from the point of issuance of the smoke from the smoke-stack.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 2, the framework 11 supports substantially the same elements as have been described in connection with Fig. 1. In the form shown in Fig. 2, however. the belt 12 is substantially horizontally disposed at the zone 13, while the parts of the belt designated 14 are inclined downwardly. This disposition of the belt provides a tortuous path for the smoke, and presents in general a larger and more effective area for the smoke to contact with.

As shown in Fig. 2, a soot remover such as g the scraper 15 may be provided, and it need 5 1. If a soot remover 15 is positioned outside of the tank or pan 8, I may employ a collection box 16 for the removed soot. In connection with Fig. 2, I may also partially fill the tray 8 with water or other liquid for removing or assisting in the removal of soot which has collected on the belt, as well as for moistening thebelt. Any means such as the motor 9 may drive the belt 12.

In general, it is my purpose to collect soot upon any suitable medium and thereafter remove the soot by any suitable means such as the scrapers illustrated, or by washing the belt, or by both or other methods, and I do not wish to be confined to any particular apparatus except as may be required by the claims herein. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: p

1. In a smoke separator, a framework extending above the substantially vertical outlet of a chimney, an endless belt carried by said framework, said endless belt having a substantially horizontal port-ion just above thevertical chimney outlet, a tank for containing liquid carried by said framework above the horizontal portion of said endless belt, and means for guiding said endless belt through a body of liquid in said tank.

2. In a smoke separator, a framework tobe positioned above the substantially vertical outlet of a chimney, an endless belt carried by said framework, said endless belt being guid-' ed above the substantially vertical outlet of said chimney and having portions guided downwardly so as to partially embrace the i space at the sideof the chimney adjacent the outlet, a tank for holding liquid carried by said framework above that portion of said 7 endless beltwhich is trained just above the chimney outlet, and means for guiding said endless belt. through the body of liquid in said tank. HARRY C. LYONS. 

